Real Food Tips: 4 Super Quick Wholesome Dinners

By Lisa, on April 10th, 2012

When your day just doesn’t go as planned or you simply don’t feel like cooking up a storm, here are four super easy “real food” dinnersthat can be whipped up in 15 minutes or less. That’s faster than the pizza delivery man. And most of these meals are made from ingredients with a decent shelf life that don’t have to be defrosted or prepared in advance. So if you pick up some of the suggested “items to have on-hand” the next time you’re at the store then you’ll be all set the next time you suddenly need to whip up a super quick wholesome dinner. Please also feel free to share your easy and fast “real food” dinner ideas in the comments below.

Spaghetti with Sautéed Onion/Veggies -
Items to have on-hand:- Dry organic whole-grain noodles – Look for a 1 or 2-ingredient organic pasta product that contains something like “organic whole durum wheat flour” and maybe “water” (avoid “semolina” because that is the refined version of whole durum wheat)
– Jar of organic spaghetti sauce – Eden Organic “no salt added” spaghetti sauce recommended (pictured)
– Olive oil or butter – For sauteing the veggies
– Onion - I always try to have onions in the house…they have a fairly long shelf life and can be used in so many different recipes
– Fresh (or frozen) organic vegetables – Some veggies that would nicely complement this dish are zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, and mushrooms
– Optional items – Freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh or dried herbs for added flavoring of the sauce-
Simple directions:
1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Once the water is boiling most noodles take 7 – 10 minutes.
2. While noodles are boiling dice about a quarter of an onion. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil (or butter) in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat and add the onions.
3. While the onions are cooking dice/chop the veggies and add them to the pan with the onions. Turn the heat up to medium and sauté until veggies soften, about 5 – 7 minutes. If you are using frozen veggies heat them up according to package directions or throw them in the pan to defrost/cook.
4. Once the veggies are tender pour the jar of spaghetti sauce into the pan. Spend a few minutes warming up the sauce and then taste test to see if it needs anything else (like salt, pepper, or herbs).
5. Drain the noodles and divvy them up. Pour the veggies/sauce over top and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese (if using).-

Scrambled Eggs with Fruit (with Optional Greens and/or Sausage)-
Items to have on-hand:- Eggs – I don’t know about you, but eggs are something I always try to have stocked since there are so many uses…also local, pastured and/or organic eggs are recommended.
– Organic Butter – For cooking the eggs
– Fresh or frozen organic fruit – Any fruit will work
– A whole-grain bread-like item – Anything could complete this meal including whole-wheat sandwich bread (to make toast), whole-grain crackers (like Ak-Mak, Triscuits, or Multiseed), or possibly some homemade whole-grain muffins or biscuits if you happen to have some around
– Optional items – Cheese, jelly (if making toast), kale or spinach, local pastured sausage-Simple Directions:1. If using the optional kale or spinach puree it in the blender along with the eggs. I usually figure two eggs per person. If you don’t have greens just crack open and scramble the eggs with a fork. Be sure to season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a medium sized sauté pan over medium-low heat and add a generous pat of butter. Once the butter has melted pour in the eggs. Let them sit for a few minutes before you start to “scramble” them.
3. While the eggs are cooking make the sausage (if using) according to package directions and toast the bread and chop/wash the fruit. If the fruit is frozen run it under warm water to help it defrost (or blend with other ingredients to make a smoothie).
4. Once the eggs are done all the way through sprinkle cheese on top (if using). Serve with the fruit, toast/crackers, and optional sausage.-

Whole-Wheat Organic Boxed Mac & Cheese with Frozen Peas and Optional Bacon/Hot Dogs (just for the kids…or for the whole family if you are really in a pinch!)-
Items to have on-hand:- Annie’s whole-wheat organic boxed macaroni and cheese (1 – 2 boxes) – There is only ONE variety of Annie’s mac and cheese that even comes close to fitting the real food bill (pictured) so be sure to analyze the options closely!
– Organic frozen peas – There should only be 1-ingredient listed on the bag…avoid frozen veggies that come with sauces/flavorings
– Optional – Organic grass-fed bacon or hot dogs-
Simple Directions:1. Boil and make the macaroni by following the directions on the box.
2. If using bacon/hot dogs cook according to package directions. When done cooking chop/dice the meat.
3. Once the macaroni is done and the cheese sauce has been mixed in add the frozen peas (no need to defrost them). The frozen peas will simultaneously thaw while they also cool off the macaroni. Mix in the chopped bacon/hot dogs (if using).-

Pizza Toast (or Bagels) with a Side of Raw Veggies-Items to have on-hand:- Whole-wheat sandwich bread (or bagels)
– Jar of organic pizza/pasta sauce: Eden Organic brand recommended
– Organic cheese: A block of mozzarella is recommended and if unopened will stay fresh for several weeks in the fridge (Avoid the pre-grated stuff because it has a powdery anti-caking additive)
– Raw veggies: Carrots, celery, cucumbers or bell peppers would all be tasty quick side items
– Optional: Freshly grated parmesan cheese (for the pizza), hummus or homemade ranch dip for the veggies-Simple Directions:1. Slice the bread/bagels and spread a tablespoon or two of the pizza/pasta sauce on the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and heat in the oven (or toaster oven) just until the cheese melts and starts to turn brown.
2. While the pizza toast is cooking wash/slice veggies and make dip (if using). When the pizza comes out of the oven top with grated parmesan cheese (if using).

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For everyone anti-Annie’s, there are other organic mac n cheese brands to buy. There is one Ancient Harvest Quinoa mac n cheese that isn’t bad and is GF & organic. But, I don’t think having Annie’s mac n cheese out of a box and organic beef hot dogs every once in a while is going to kill anyone! Like someone else said, it sure beats ordering a pizza or going through a drive through. And even doing that every once in a while won’t kill you either! All in moderation-if you’re doing majority whole foods/organic, I wouldn’t worry about a splurge here and there. I understand in a perfect world it would be best to boycott all the companies that support GMO’s, but that would be way too limiting and not realistic at all for most families.